Community Organizing

The ongoing community projects organized at the Freedom Center are the result of the young people’s integration in community problem solving. The following examples trace the development of our current projects which include a community policing relations project entitled “All of us Around the Table…Together,” and the City of Oakland Foreclosure Prevention Project.

Community-Police Relations: Bread Breaking

In the aftermath of the Oscar Grant killing on January 1st 2009, youth of the MLKJFC testified in various public hearings. The substantive, reflective nature of their testimonies led to a series of dialogues and work developed with MLKJFC youth, parents and BART Board of Directors members. The work is designed to address issues of mistrust and lack of understanding. These discussions led to an MLKJFC young person participating as a member of the interview panel for the recent selection of the new BART Chief of Police. The “All of us Around the Table…Together ” project is a result of this process.

Far too many police departments suffer for lack of community input and direction. Almost all communities of color and low income communities suffer for lack of control over police policies and conduct. The community needs access and the development of the social/political capacity to guide and direct police services.

The “All of us Around the Table…Together” project is about community members inviting individual BART police into their homes for dinner. We invite you to view the video created in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente highlighting this unique community led project.

City of Oakland Foreclosure Resources: Door-to-Door in Neighborhoods

As the economic peril facing low-income families came to a head over the past few years, the City of Oakland invited the Freedom Center into a collaboration offering foreclosure prevention resources that are currently available in Oakland for families affected by the foreclosure crisis. Our youth and staff provide door-to-door information regarding resources and options for impacted families as a part of this important community effort.